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The Big Story: Beating love with hatred

New Delhi witnessed a shocking crime on Thursday night, when a 23-year-old man was stabbed to death in full public view by the family of the woman with whom he was in love. The woman’s family apparently did not want her to marry a person who was not from the same religion as they were.

The woman was Muslim, the man Hindu.

If one went by the definition of the Supreme Court, this incident falls squarely in the category of so-called honour killing. Such murders, the court said, result from the perception that the “defence of honour justifies killing a person whose behaviour dishonours their own clan or family”. This sense of honour is tied to the woman, who is expected to adhere to her parents’ or wider community’s wishes in choosing her partner.

India has witnessed many gory murders committed for the sake of this flimsy notion of honour, across castes and religion. In 2013, a young couple was butchered in Rohtak, Haryana, their bodies mutilated in public view by the woman’s family. In March 2016, a man named V Sankar was hacked to death outside a bus stand in Tamil Nadu by goons hired by his wife’s family. In November 2016, a young man was shot dead in Sonepat after he was invited by his wife’s relatives to ostensibly talk about a reconciliation. Between 2014 and 2016, India reported 288 such murders.

On the weekend, Altnews, a fact-checking site, reported the exisitence of a Facebook page called “Hindutva Varta” (Hindutva Talk) that posted a list of 102 couples – Hindu girls in relationships with Muslim boys – and called for Hindus to come forward and attack the boys.

At the heart of this problem is a clash between conservative societal and religious norms on the one hand and the freedom and liberty guaranteed to every citizen under the Constitution. Inter-caste and inter-religious marriages rattle the blind adherence to authority that most Indian communities cherish.

This has led to heightened moral policing on the streets. The post-liberalisation generation, which has aspirations and norms that are increasingly unmoored from traditional structures of hierarchy, is often being denied individual autonomy by groups that take the law into their own hands. Fanatical caste and religious groups, such as the khap panchayats of North India and the jadi sangams of South India, are suggesting that love is a dangerous choice for young people to make.

The state’s response has been weak. Despite repeated suggestions from the Supreme Court, the government has failed to pass a strict law against so-called honour killings. In the police files, these killings are treated as any other murder, shielding the perpetrators from public glare. This kid-gloves treatment of violent groups has undermined efforts of the government to promote inter-caste and inter-religious marriages, even offering economic rewards to the brave couples who choose love across communitarian barriers. Surveys show that only 5% of Indians marry outside their caste.

The battle that Hadiya – who converted to Islam defying her Hindu family in Kerala – is fighting in the Supreme Court to protect her marriage is a classic example of the failure of the state to protect individual choices. The right to liberty, which means the right to make personal choices, is a crucial aspect of right to life. It is the duty of the state to clamp down on all elements that threaten the liberty of citizens. After all, a life without liberty is a life without dignity.

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“Indeed, in poll-bound Meghalaya, between the Congress’s alleged corruption and the BJP’s perceived communalism, the National People’s Party seems to be on the ascendant. Political analysts say that the most telling testament to this party’s rise in Meghalaya lies in the number of prominent faces it has been able to attract to its fold ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled for February 27.”

The national emblem of India; an open parachute and crossed lances – this triad of symbols representing the nation, excellence in training and valor respectively are held together by an elite title in the Indian army – The President’s Bodyguard (PBG).

The PBG badge is worn by one of the oldest cavalry units in the India army. In 1773, Governor Warren Hastings, former Governor General of India, handpicked 50 troopers. Before independence, this unit was referred to by many titles including Troops of Horse Guards and Governor General’s Body Guards (GGBG). In 1950, the unit was named The President’s Bodyguard and can be seen embroidered in the curved maroon shoulder titles on their current uniforms.

The President’s Bodyguard’s uniform adorns itself with proud colours and symbols of its 245 year-old-legacy. Dating back to 1980, the ceremonial uniform consists of a bright red long coat with gold girdles and white breeches, a blue and gold ceremonial turban with a distinctive fan and Napoleon Boots with spurs. Each member of the mounted unit carries a special 3-meter-long bamboo cavalry lance, decorated by a red and white pennant. A sheathed cavalry sabre is carried in in the side of the saddle of each trooper.

While common perception is that the PBG mainly have ceremonial duties such as that of being the President’s escort during Republic Day parade, the fact is that the members of the PBG are highly trained. Handpicked by the President’s Secretariat from mainstream armored regiments, the unit assigns a task force regularly for Siachen and UN peace keeping operations. Moreover, the cavalry members are trained combat parachutists – thus decorating the PBG uniform with a scarlet Para Wings badge that signifies that these troopers are a part of the airborne battalion of the India Army.

Since their foundation, the President’s Guard has won many battle honors. In 1811, they won their first battle honor ‘Java’. In 1824, they sailed over Kalla Pani for the first Burmese War and earned the second battle honour ‘Ava’. The battle of Maharajapore in 1843 won them their third battle honor. Consequently, the PBG fought in the main battles of the First Sikh War and earned four battle honours. Post-independence, the PBG served the country in the 1962 Indo-China war and the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

The PBG, one of the senior most regiments of the Indian Army, is a unique unit. While the uniform is befitting of its traditional and ceremonial role, the badges that augment those threads, tell the story of its impressive history and victories.

How have they managed to maintain their customs for more than 2 centuries? A National Geographic exclusive captures the PBG’s untold story. The documentary series showcases the discipline that goes into making the ceremonial protectors of the supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces.

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The National Geographic exclusive is a landmark in television and is being celebrated by the #untoldstory contest. The contest will give 5 lucky winners an exclusive pass to the pre-screening of the documentary with the Hon’ble President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. You can also nominate someone you think deserves to be a part of the screening. Follow #UntoldStory on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to participate.

This article was produced by Scroll marketing team on behalf of National Geographic and not by the Scroll editorial team.